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Animal Joy - Shearwater
Animal Joy Image
Metascore
76 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.8 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Summary: Andy Stack of Wye Oak, Scott Brackett of Murder by Death, and Cully Symington of Cursive guest on the first album from the Austin indie rock band for Sub Pop.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Sputnikmusic
    Mar 5, 2012
    90
    For its new fond feeling and its quick animal stride, t offers something that we can all be swept up in, and all from the moment "Animal Life" gets close.
  2. Blurt Magazine
    Feb 14, 2012
    90
    This album is just a few hairs (a couple of tracks and/or segues) short of being a transcendent gem, or masterpiece.
  3. The Quietus
    Mar 5, 2012
    60
    Instead of a coherent collection of songs, Animal Joy feels like a series of very clever blueprints that, while admirable in form, are often (despite that title), rather bloodless.

See all 31 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. jackofallfaiths
    9
    Two things have frequently been written about this album: it's more accessible than previous work and it probably represents a transition for this band. On the first, yes, it is most certainly more accessible, but I cannot bring myself to say this is a bad thing. Shearwater combines their ability for ethereal chords and vocals with the, yes, animal pulse of rock and electronic beats. It's a beautiful fusion that seems perfect for the album's title. And one can only hope this represents a transition. I absolutely loved their recently competed trilogy, but most high quality bands fail when they try to extend a single idea or sound too long. And for a possibly transitional album, "Animal Joy" is surprisingly cohesive and complete.… Expand
    • 2 of 2 users said yes
  2. jkade
    9
    While the instrument roster is reduced, the tempos are generally faster, and the subject matter is about the inner life instead of the world at large, this is still very much a Shearwater record. You As You Were and Insolence are the two very different highlights of the record, but to my ears, there's not a bad track to be found. If you liked their previous work, odds are good you will like this. If you didn't, it's different enough to be worth a try.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. AlexxTrusc
    8
    Already the first track on the album, title "Animal Life" is enough just to get a picture of the entire release. CD is in fact a combination of rock with different varieties of folk. The voice of Jonathan Meiburg has something compelling, the artist is able to fit perfectly in both experimental, indie rock compositions like "Breaking The Yearlings" and that more subdued "Dread Sovereign" or "You As You Were" (great xylophone parts ), where you can hear perfectly the depth of his vocals bringing to mind Editors. Very righteous piece of art - worth listening to.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

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